When I was 16, my favorite teacher... Roxanne Schuster, or "Drama Mama" as the students affectionately called her...asked me to perform a monologue at our high school production.  I was terrified.  I couldn't see how I would be able to perform in front of ALL those people!  But Mrs. Schuster knew what she was doing - I overcame my fear, and began to appreciate the impact of empowering others through speech.  To this day, I see Mrs. Schuster as "the" teacher who impacted my future the most.  The title of the monologue was:  "Please God, I'm only 17!"  This powerful piece was written by John J. Berrio, a WWII veteran and father of five.  In 1967, Mr. Berrio wrote it when his friend's son died in a car accident.  He submitted it to Ann Landers and she published it in her infamous "Dear Abby" column.

I didn't truly appreciate the message of the monologue when I performed it.  Nor did I really understand its' purpose even when I wrote Mrs. Schuster years later.  It is only now when I have a pre-teen son, who is just six years away from driving... that I get it.  So I encourage you to look up Mr. Berrio - read it with your teenager - and more importantly, understand what your expectations are for your child as they choose to drive.

For over 40 years, Jim Fay and Dr. Forest Cline have helped parents raise responsible kids who are prepared to make smart choices about serious issues... and one serious issue is teens driving responsibly.  There are so many simple techniques to help your child have more accountability when he or she begins driving (read the article by Jim Fay that I posted under "Parenting Tips! - Teens").  Whatever you do... don't avoid it and don't put it off. 

Start thinking about this issue now. 
Because before you know it... your precious child will be asking for the keys! 

Blessings to you!
B

How fortunate am I to spread the message of Love and Logic!  Am I the perfect parent?  Gosh, no!  Just thinking about that, makes me LAUGH... :)  But I DO enjoy my job as a PARENT so much more now...and I think my family enjoys our time together as well.  Less bickering, less reminders, more empathy, and LOVE.  We've got a way to go, as he changes from year to year...but facilitating this topic of how to LOVE our children, while we prepare them for LIFE has become an adventure that Ron and I are really beginning to ENJOY.

The fall series is beginning on September 13th!  Here are some answers to a few questions:
-- Is this just for SCS families? 
        No - I would love to see other families join us.  We are offering a discount to SCS families because they are         the "host" school where I will be teaching the program. However, the cost for non-SCS families is still a             significant discount to the national average that is charged for this course.

-- I noticed the series is for FOUR sessions, not SEVEN, is this correct?
        Yes - I decided to reduce the sessions to four rather than seven, because parents are just SO busy!  We             will still review ALL areas of the Parenting with Love and Logic materials, but we will just speed up the               lectures.  If we find a consensus to pursue seven sessions, we might do that at a later date.

-- How do I choose between the EARLY CHILDHOOD class and the regular PARENTING class?
        The Parenting class is an excellent series for all parents...even if you have young children. I actually took             this class first, almost 15 years ago and again when our son was about three.  However, the Early                        Childhood class is designed to address the specific challenges you face with a child that is below six                   years of age.  The examples, techniques and discussions will be targeting this age group, and many                 parents find that this course helps them... as they transition into these early years of parenting!

Have more questions?  Would you like to learn more about Love and Logic?  Jim Fay and Charles Fay have created a GREAT website full of information!  Visit:  www.loveandlogic.com - and when you are ready to take a class, register on my site:  www.blottcom.com.  I would love to see you!

Blessings!
B

For over 20 years, I have experienced the JOY of facilitating topics with groups large and small...and I can genuinely say that I have never experienced the same presentation twice!  I walk in...thinking I have my presentation as clear as can be...and yet I find the group dynamics always lead us to the topics of most VALUE to the audience.  While I follow the important elements that are critical to the training, I ENJOY this flexible and creative aspect of my job!

I truly APPRECIATE the uniqueness of each member of an audience.  Their experiences, character and insight are what makes my job so much FUN!  Thankfully, I always learn something new in each session.

I attended my first Parenting with Love and Logic training in 2002, and I was in awe of how SIMPLE the concept was... it was a timeless approach to parenting.  Created by Jim Fay and Dr. Foster Cline in 1977, Love and Logic prepares young people to live in the real world, with its many choices and consequences.  This is not some "new age" program of checks and balances...rewards or punishments.  Love and Logic allows the CHILDREN to take responsibility for their actions, thus empowering the child to learn from their mistakes as they work through the consequences.

My goal?  To encourage and empower YOU, as a parent or teacher...or both!  To empower you with ACTUAL techniques that will bring the FUN back into your home or classroom!  To leave more time for you to ENJOY the relationship with your children and students, instead of bogging down your time with mindless arguing and reminders.  Discipline CAN be a challenge...but isn't that what makes our job GREAT?  Our job as teachers and parents is to raise RESPONSIBLE kids who will lead productive lives in our world.  Fortunately, our children give us PLENTY of opportunities to TEACH them the value of real life consequences!  Let the FUN begin!  :)

Blessings!
B